Safer Neighbourhood Teams start to make a difference |  |
For those who don't already know, Safer Neighbourhood Teams are part of the Government’s pledge to provide every community in the country with its own dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Team by 2008. The teams are a new partnership of officers from both the Police and Local Authority. They are dedicated to the local area and to working together to deal with immediate problems, and to develop long-term solutions to prevent criminal and anti-social problems in the future.
In one operation last month, the Wentworth North Safer Neighbourhood Team (covering Wath, Swinton, Kilnhurst, Brampton, Hoober and West Melton) arrested eight people for drugs offences, including the possession of cannabis, heroin and amphetamine. Four more people received a verbal caution. Six vehicles were seized for expired licences and no insurance. The team also found a number of suspected stolen goods and are following up on enquiries. Safer Neighbourhood Teams are also in operation in Wentworth South, covering Rawmarsh, Thrybergh, Dalton, East Herringthorpe, Parkgate, Brecks, Ravenfield and Hooton Roberts.
By next spring a total of 72 Police Community Support Officers will be working across the Borough, and I hope this increase will provide a further much welcomed boost. I realise that there is still much to do, but with the Police and Council working closely together in this way, I hope the teams will have an even bigger impact in our communities over the next few years.
For more news items, please click here